Aero's "Real Deal"

[KENNYW]

On a scale of one to ten,how would you rate Aero's Real deal A-2?

 

[bfrench]

Aero's Real Deal

On a scale of one to ten,how would you rate Aero's Real deal A-2?

Hi, Kenny,

From what the guys on the other forum - VLJ -have said it is a great bargain.

You get a jacket that is made from mismatched hides similar to those originals made near the end of the A-2 jacket run in WWII and a reasonably authentic copy in the bargain.

When compared to FS it is close in price but a step up in authencity.

My only caveat is that the jacket is styled to a trimmer fit and may wind up being tight on you. You can check with Mark Moye, the US rep, as to how the measurements will work.

On the other hand, you could get FS to make an A-2 from the gnarly, grainy scrap skins in a russet with a tan thread and have a jacket with lots of character that you know will fit.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

This is the fun of getting a new jacket.

Had a knowledgable jacket collector compare the FS hh russet very favorably with an original Perry.

And to add a little confusion I think from what I've read here and on VLJ over the last year that the Real McCoys are probably the top of the heap.

With the New Zealand dollar coming down it might be worth while to give them a careful look.

Bill French

 

[KENNYW]

Hi Bill,
I didn't know FS did custom work:eusa_doh:

 

[ldmax]

Flight suits told me that they do not do any custom work on their historical models.

 

[KENNYW]

I just found out the same thing[huh]

 

[MudInYerEye]

I have a Real Deal in russet with rust knits. It's a great jacket and I wear it all the time. Great gnarly leather.

 

[JWG]

FS will not do a lot of custom work for customers anymore due to people requesting a lot of unnecessary alterations often at the advice of "experts" which in the end doesn't work well. Then the customer wanted a full refund and they are stuck with a jacket they can't really sell.

I understand their reluctance. They also are not the only vendor who is taking this approach.

All said, they make a really nice A2 and M422A.

 

[KENNYW]

Well I just got off the phone with Mark Moye and my order is in for a Real Deal in russet with dark berry knits and USAAF shoulder decal. Too bad the warm weather is just about hear though.I can't wait to get it,and thanks for your input:eusa_clap

 

[silhouette53]

Good choice :eusa_clap

Don't forget to post some photos of you wearing it when it finally arrives.
We'd all like to see how it looks / fits

 

[MDFrench]

What's all the talk about Russet? Isn't Seal Brown just as accurate to the period? Or am I missing something? I only ask because I have always been partial to seal brown and I am poised to buy a Real Deal with a Seal Brown/Midbrown body/cuff combo and I want it to be historically reflective.

Am I wrong?

Mike

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

I used to be a seal brown guy too.

What's all the talk about Russet? Isn't Seal Brown just as accurate to the period? Or am I missing something? I only ask because I have always been partial to seal brown and I am poised to buy a Real Deal with a Seal Brown/Midbrown body/cuff combo and I want it to be historically reflective.

Am I wrong?

Mike

Until I learned that the russet shade was the original brown that the majority of A2 jackets were colored from their inception in the 1930's until about midway, (? not sure of the exact date) through WW2. The quartermaster dept. actually re-sprayed some russet leather articles,(jackets, holsters, etc.) seal brown when they were turned in by discharged men to be reissued to another soldier.
I was under the false impression that most jackets were seal brown, as that is the color I saw on TV and in movies. Especially in black and white pictures the russet shade appears to be a darker shade than it actually is, so our eyes assume it is seal brown.
Nothing wrong with seal brown of course, but the russet was more prevalent.

 

[JWG]

Major, you are right about Hollywood using seal, but with respect to Aero many look at an original and see a reddish brown color. "Ah it's russet" in fact it was a darker color that faded to its russet base coat. There were however true russet examples of Aeros as well.

Rough Wear's largest contract (I'm only saying that because it seems that there is one each week on ebay) seems to be the 27752 which was a mahagony/milk chocolate shade.

I do agree that russet was predominant (spelling?) however many were initially issued a seal shade as well.

 

[JWG]

To add to my previous post, there really appear to be no absolutes with respect to color, zippers used or even hides as one can find goat and horse examples of the same contract!!

 

[PADDY]

Seal 'Real Deal' with mid brown knits (photo)

I'm late in on this one, apologies gents! Just very busy with home/work affairs.

The pic (below) is of the Aero seal 'Real Deal.' Great mix of jerky and smooth with a brown undercoat and seal overspray (olive green stitch) which, through time will wear off in parts to give a great patina.

As has quite rightly been pointed out by the venerable members here, the seal became the official colour from about 42 onwards and any recalls on russett A2's were resprayed the darker brown (seal). Also, they would have had the addition of the star and wings AAF transfer to the upper left shoulder.

The colour in the photograph, doesn't 'quite' give a 'true' colour perspective, as it's in WWII saturation colour, but it's close enough. But it does show the look of the mid brown knit compared with the seal hide.

But your choice of the russet Kenny is a good one, as Aero do a cracking russet. Look forward to seeing some pics of it when it arrives.

 

[KENNYW]

Hi Paddy,
I changed my choice to seal with mid brown and looking at your picture I'm glad I did!Great jacket!

 

[Captain Krunch]

Nice picture you have there, Paddy. I feel sorry for any Jerrys you'll be running into during the next mission!

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Very nice jacket Paddy.

Looking forward to seeing it after you've broken it in a bit. I like the look of a worn over-sprayed jacket. Really adds tons of character!
I think I will end up a pauper from buying all the jackets that I want to own,........but at least I will have fun in the process! lol

 

[shamus]

I have the real deal anniversary jerky in seal with berry knits. It's my 3rd and final Aero A2. All were seal as I just like it better.

 

[KENNYW]

I'm late in on this one, apologies gents! Just very busy with home/work affairs.

The pic (below) is of the Aero seal 'Real Deal.' Great mix of jerky and smooth with a brown undercoat and seal overspray (olive green stitch) which, through time will wear off in parts to give a great patina.

As has quite rightly been pointed out by the venerable members here, the seal became the official colour from about 42 onwards and any recalls on russett A2's were resprayed the darker brown (seal). Also, they would have had the addition of the star and wings AAF transfer to the upper left shoulder.

The colour in the photograph, doesn't 'quite' give a 'true' colour perspective, as it's in WWII saturation colour, but it's close enough. But it does show the look of the mid brown knit compared with the seal hide.

But your choice of the russet Kenny is a good one, as Aero do a cracking russet. Look forward to seeing some pics of it when it arrives.

Hi Paddy,
You have any more pics of the jacket? I'd love to see them!
Ken

 

[LeFonque]

Great picture Paddy!